There's blues, and lots of it, this weekend, along with a new ARTSLAM! installment and R&B/contemporary jazz saxophone. So get busy.

Blues (etc.) at Sam's

• Curtis Salgado is the definition of a blues survivor. The Washington-born, Portland-based soul/blues singer and harmonica player has undergone two bouts with lung cancer and one with liver cancer. While he has made major medical strides, Salgado also has made considerable strides in the blues/soul/R&B world. A mentor to John Belushi when the actor was getting into singing the blues during filming of “Animal House,” Salgado has worked with the Robert Cray Band, Roomful of Blues, Steve Miller and Santana.

As a bandleader, singer, harp player and songwriter, Salgado deftly fuses revved-up blues with classic soul and R&B to create a potent sound that showcases the power of the music and the musicians. Winner of the 2012 Blues Music Award for Soul/Blues Artist of the Year, Salgado and his band are on the road with Salgado's latest album, “Soul Shot” (Alligator). The tour will stop at Sam's Burger Joint on Thursday. The Alex Zayas Blues Band will open.

• Friday, Sam's will feature the return of New Orleans-based guitarist, singer and songwriter Eric Lindell who's on the road with Texas blues guitar slinger Anson Funderburgh. The John Cortez Band will open. Cool Cat Charlie will play the blues on Sam's patio at 6 p.m.

Like many musicians from the Crescent City, Lindell is a master of mixing and matching influences and styles. The man can play the blues, but he also knows how to rock while keeping sharp lyrics in the forefront. A prolific recording artist, Lindell has released independent records and albums on the Alligator label. His latest disc, “I Still Love You,” is billed as “American roots music/blue-eyed soul.” With Funderburgh in the fold, expect to hear plenty of fiery blues.

• While on the subject of Sam's, guitar man Eddie Polanco called to extend his thanks to all the musicians and fans who turned out last Sunday at Sam's. The stage, and the seats, were full of people eager to give Polanco an assist with medical bills racked up during a bout with epilepsy. “I was overwhelmed,” Polanco said.

ARTSLAM!

When it's time for ARTSLAM!, it's time for music, visual art, video games and fans thereof to get together to have some big fun. Saturday, ARTSLAM! will again take over White Rabbit. This time around the theme is “Martial ARTSLAM!,” which means kung fu characters from movies, comics, TV, anime and other media will join forces to battle the forces of boredom.

As is a trademark of ARTSLAM!, the music will be top-flight: Mojoe, Mexican Stepgrandfather, Third Root (the socio-political/common sense side project of Mexican Stepgrandfather, Marco Cervantes and Mojoe's Easy Lee) and the “barrio big band” Bombasta with its fusion of reggae, salsa, hip-hop and more. DJ JJ Lopez will be spinning all night.

If that's not enough for you, a herd of visual artists will work live, crafting Martial ARTSLAM!-inspired work. Doors for the all-ages extravaganza open at 7 p.m. Cover charge is $6.

Harp started recording as a leader in the early '90s, bringing his smooth reed work and R&B/jazz fusion to albums including the Marvin Gaye tribute “What's Going On,” “Better Days” and “My Inspiration.” Harp's latest release is “First Love.”

Harp will be in concert Saturday at 9 p.m. in the Frost Bank Plaza Club. A buffet will be served from 7-8:30. Tickets cost $45 and $65 (which includes the buffet) plus service charges through www.cooljazzforever.com. There's free parking in the Frost Bank garage.

Jim Beal Jr.'s Night Lights covers the area music scene. He also plays bass in the local band Miss Neesie & the Ear Food Orchestra. Email jbeal@express-news.net. Beal hosts the “Third Coast Music Network” show 3-7 p.m. Thursdays on KSYM, 90.1 FM. Check the Music Beat blog at mySA.com; @jimbealjr on Twitter.